Cregan had been a "villain all his life" but witnesses did not want to give evidence against him, Preston Crown Court was told

Police killer Dale Cregan was known as a "hard man" who "laughed and joked" after allegedly killing a man in a gun and grenade attack, a court heard.

Cregan had been a "villain all his life" but witnesses did not want to give evidence against him, Preston Crown Court was told.

The one-eyed 29-year-old has admitted murdering Pc Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, after luring them to a house in Hattersley, Greater Manchester last September 18.

When they arrived he opened fire without warning on the unarmed officers with a Glock semi-automatic gun before throwing a grenade at the dying policewomen.

Cregan had been on the run wanted over the murder of Mark Short, 23, gunned down in the Cotton Tree Pub, Droylsden, Manchester, on May 25, last year.

It is alleged he also went on to kill the victim's father, David Short, 46, in Clayton, Manchester on August 10.

Cregan has admitted murdering the police officers but denies any part of the murder of the Shorts.

Today the jury heard Cregan's co-accused Jermaine Ward told police he was ordered by Cregan and his accomplice Anthony Wilkinson, 33, to take part in the murder of David Short but says he was doing so only under duress.

Ward, 24, claims Cregan and Wilkinson, 33, put a grenade in his mouth and threatened to kill his family while keeping him as a virtual "slave" for two weeks while they hid from police in a flat somewhere in West Yorkshire.

The prosecution claims in fact Ward played an "integral part" in the murder of David Short by being the getaway driver.

The jury were read parts of Ward's statement to police and shown video recordings of him being questioned by officers after he handed himself in.

Ward was asked about what went on in the flat where they hid and told officers while in there a report came on the TV about the murders of David and Mark Short, with a family tribute, describing them as "lions."

Ward said: "Dale and Anthony looked at each and started laughing."

He then said Cregan added: "He didn't look like a lion to me did he?' And they both started laughing. Dale and Anthony were laughing to each other, they were laughing about it as if it was a joke."

Det Con Chris Barnes, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) questioned Ward closely about how and what he knew of Cregan.

Ward said he met through a friend at a party 18 months ago and he did not know if Cregan had a job but he always had money on him.

"It's no exaggeration that he's known in Clayton, Droylsden as a bit of a hard man," DC Barnes said.

Ward replied: "I have never known him do anything like that. He never seemed like a hard man to me or a gangster."

There was then this exchange with the officer.

DC Barnes: "How old are you?"

Ward: "24."

DC Barnes: "You live on the streets of north Manchester...got a criminal record. About to go to court for drugs.

"What did you think they were going to do with two guns in broad daylight?"

"I don't know," Ward replied.

But at the end of the series of video interviews the officer makes it plain he does not believe Ward's story.

DC Barnes told the witness: "You know what I think? I think he trusts you. I think you were a willing accomplice in all this.

"I think you have driven this van quite willingly, probably for payment.

"Getaway drivers for villains are a big commodity. They are the most trusted people.

"You can give any muppet a gun. You need someone who you are putting your life in their hands, to be a getaway driver."

The officer continues: "Dale Cregan has been a villain all his life but he doesn't get caught because people don't want to give evidence against him and he's not stupid, covers his tracks, right?

"What I think you are doing is minimise your role in all this."

Ward, through tears, tells the officer he doesn't know what it feels like to have a "grenade in your mouth" or have a gun put to your head.

"Whatever I can tell you about them I have told you," he replies.

Ward denies murder, one count of attempted murder and causing an explosion.

Cregan and Wilkinson with Francis Dixon, 37, from Stalybridge, all deny the murder of David Short, the attempted murder of Sharon Hark on the same day, and a single charge of causing an explosion.

Wilkinson is additionally charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and Mohammed Ali, 32, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, is accused of assisting an offender.

Cregan, Leon Atkinson, 35, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Luke Livesey, 27, from Hattersley, Damian Gorman, 38, from Glossop, Ryan Hadfield, 28, from Droylsden, and Matthew James, 33, from Clayton, are all accused of the murder of Mark Short at the Cotton Tree Pub, Droylsden on May 26 last year, and the attempted murders of three others also in the pub at the time - John Collins, Ryan Pridding and Michael Belcher.

They deny all charges.

Cregan has admitted the murders of Pc Bone and Hughes and faces life in jail.

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